Gabrielle Chanel loved to mix up genres and applications, toying with the values expressed by her creations. This innovative approach to art gave rise to cult objects which were to become legendary, such as CHANEL No.5 perfume and the 2.55 bag. Première (first created in 1987) and J12 (created in 2000) watches reflect the same artistic philosophy.

CHANEL watches are made in Switzerland, in CHANEL's 8,000 sq.m. workshops at La Chaux-de-Fonds.

There the creative spark is transformed into innovative products, thanks to the latest digital machinery and tools, combined with traditional watchmaking expertise.

This guarantees the entire process, from assembling the watchcases and the straps or bracelets to the casing of the movements produced by specialised Swiss companies. The manufacture of high-tech ceramic is also integrated into our production process, but is kept secret so as to protect the uniqueness of CHANEL watches.

All CHANEL watches feature highly precise Swiss movements and are assembled in the CHANEL workshops at La Chaux-de-Fonds. CHANEL offers mechanisms with varying levels of sophistication. CHANEL's partners include the Manufacture ETA, whose movements are among the most reliable in all Swiss watchmaking.

CHANEL also works with prestigious Swiss Manufacturers to develop new movements:

The energy for a quartz watch is supplied by a miniature battery that lasts for several years. Time is marked by a quartz oscillator, which causes a vibration with the energy supplied by the battery. The average battery life for J12 quartz watches is 2-4 years, depending on the model, and 2 years for other collections.

Never leave an expired battery inside your watch, it could leak and damage the movement. Batteries must only be replaced at a CHANEL Boutique, by a CHANEL authorised jewellery and timepiece distributor or at a CHANEL authorised watch workshop.

Automatic mechanical watches

A watch with an automatic mechanical movement winds itself with the movement of the wrist, which causes the oscillating rotor to turn on its axis. When the watch is not worn, it has a 38-42 hour power reserve depending on the model. Beyond this autonomous period, manual winding becomes necessary. When the watch is not being worn, we recommend that you wind it manually every two or three weeks to prevent its internal lubricants from drying out.

All CHANEL watches are water resistant at between 30 and 300 metres, depending on the model. Their water resistance is engraved on the back of the watch case as follows: "30 M."

Watches are water resistant thanks to their gaskets. To ensure continuous water resistance, it is recommended that gaskets be replaced every two years from the date of first use. It is also recommended that the water resistance should be checked whenever the watch case is opened, and once a year if the watch is regularly subjected to immersion in sea water, swimming pools, etc.

For watches with a screw crown, ensure the crown is completely screwed in before entering water. Never manipulate the crown underwater. If the crown is pulled out, water can seep into the case. If condensation forms inside the watch, this means that water has entered it and the watch must be checked immediately.
For chronograph watches, do not start the chronograph function underwater because water can seep in through the push pieces.

Avoid wearing watches in saunas, hammams, showers and baths, as the high temperature can cause deterioration of the gaskets.

After each immersion in salt water, rinse the watch with fresh water. To ensure water resistance, be sure to screw the crown in after each manipulation.

For more information, please refer to our maintenance advice in the Customer Service section.

The titanium ceramic formula used by CHANEL is patented and exclusive to the brand. The manufacturing and polishing techniques, kept secret in our workshops in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, are what make the J12 Chromatic a true technological innovation.

It took 4 years of research and development to create titanium ceramic.

The titanium ceramic formula is patented and exclusive to CHANEL. The manufacturing and polishing techniques, kept secret in the workshops in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, make the J12 Chromatic a true technological innovation.

In a constant quest for perfection, CHANEL uses exceptional diamonds which meet all the diamond quality criteria denoted by the "4C" label. An infinite number of combinations are possible, making each diamond a unique stone:
Clarity

The clarity of a diamond is determined by the number and the size of visible inclusions in the stone.

Colour
Ideal diamonds are generally distinguished by the absence of colour.
Thus the more colourless a diamond is, the rarer and more precious it is.
An international standard attributes the letter "D" to totally colourless diamonds, with the remaining letters used to measure tints appearing in the stone.

Cut
The cut is the element which enhances a diamond's qualities, thus revealing its incomparable brilliance.
Excellent proportions combined with perfectly symmetrical facets enable light to be captured and to reveal the carefully selected stone's true brilliance.

Carat
The word "carat" refers to the seeds of the carob tree, used in antiquity to measure the weight of a diamond, and has been the international standard unit of measurement since 1907. A carat is equivalent to 0.20 grammes.

CHANEL encourages respect for strict ethical standards in terms of sourcing. Each diamond set in a CHANEL watch comes from legal sources, in full compliance with the certification system of the Kimberley Process, as defined by the United Nations. Under the guarantee system instituted by this process, each partner undertakes to provide a certificate attesting in writing that the diamonds are sourced from non-conflict countries. This particular vigilance helps ensure the credibility of the diamond trade, eradicating the circulation of stones from countries in situations of armed conflict.

The unique expertise of CHANEL Watches guarantees products of exceptional quality. However, to ensure optimal reliability and durability for your watch, a complete servicing is recommended every 4 to 5 years.

All work on your watch must be carried out exclusively at a CHANEL Boutique, by a CHANEL authorised jewellery and timepiece distributor or at a CHANEL authorised watch workshop. Specially trained CHANEL repair specialists provide impeccable service by conducting a series of tests and using the most reliable and advanced control systems.

CHANEL watches benefit from an international network of after-sales service providers who meet the strictest Swiss watchmaking quality standards. You can drop your watch off for maintenance to a CHANEL boutique or a CHANEL authorised watch and jewellery retailer. Any service or repair not carried out by a CHANEL watch workshop or CHANEL authorised watch workshop exposes your watch to the risk of serious damage that is not covered by the CHANEL International Guarantee. Likewise, replacement parts that do not correspond to the criteria specified by CHANEL are not covered by the CHANEL International Guarantee.

For all work carried out on your watch while it is under guarantee, you must present your CHANEL guarantee card.

CHANEL watches have successfully passed the most rigorous reliability tests devised by the Swiss watchmaking industry. They are guaranteed against all manufacturing defects for two years from the date of purchase marked by the CHANEL authorised retailer on the International Guarantee Certificate. This guarantee is total (i.e., for parts and labour).

However, it excludes:

• Damage caused by accidents or by misuse of the watch (violent shocks, crushing, rough handling of the clasp, etc.)
• Damage caused by repair or dismantling not carried out by a CHANEL Boutique, an authorised CHANEL jewellery and timepiece distributor or an authorised CHANEL watch workshop.
• The consequence of normal wear and tear of the watch. It also excludes leather straps, given the specific nature of these items. This guarantee does not affect your statutory rights and/or the application of any relevant laws or regulations.

IMPORTANT:To benefit from the CHANEL International Guarantee, all work must be carried out by an authorised specialist, i.e., at a CHANEL Boutique, by a CHANEL authorised jewellery and timepiece distributor or at a CHANEL authorised watch workshop. This guarantee only becomes applicable on presentation of the CHANEL International Guarantee Certificate, duly completed, dated and signed by an authorised CHANEL distributor.

Depending on the strength of the magnetic field concerned or the length of the exposure, the normal working of a watch movement may be affected. Despite the sophisticated systems with which they are equipped, watches with automatic movements are more sensitive to all types of magnetic fields.

WATCHES WITH AUTOMATIC MOVEMENTS

A powerful magnetic field may cause the acceleration of the sprung balance, which significantly modifies the setting of the movement. For example, the magnetic fields emitted by electrical appliances like televisions and some mobile telephones, by magnets or by the passenger scanning machines found at airports, may interfere with watch movements.

WATCHES WITH QUARTZ MOVEMENTS

A powerful magnetic field may alter the frequency of oscillation of the quartz, causing the movement to lose time or to stop completely.

To detect if the watch is magnetised, just place it next to a compass. If it is magnetised, the needle of the compass will be deflected.

In order to demagnetise the watch, it must be subjected to a magnetic field operating in the opposite direction. All our after-sales service points are equipped with a device that can generate this type of magnetic field.

The unique expertise of CHANEL Fine Jewellery guarantees products of exceptional quality. Regular wearing of an item of jewellery may nevertheless lead to the appearance of marks on the piece caused by contact with the skin, extraneous contact, pollution, etc.

1. Cleaning your fine jewellery

In order to clean your jewellery, rub the surface delicately with a soft brush and warm soapy water, then rinse it carefully and dry it with a soft cloth. This will enable you to revitalise the brilliance of your piece of jewellery without damaging it.

It is important not to carry out this kind of cleaning in the case of pearls and emeralds, which risk being damaged by any substance other than water alone. We therefore advise you to entrust the maintenance of these pieces to our experts at one of our CHANEL Fine Jewellery Boutiques.

2. Special maintenance in the case of fine jewellery including diamonds or pearls.

Diamonds are gems of exceptional hardness. Ensure that you do not keep a piece set with diamonds alongside your other jewels, which could be scratched or damaged as a result.

It is recommended that particular attention be paid to your pearls, since they are an organic material that is very sensitive to chemical substances. For this reason, and in order to prevent your pearls from losing their lustre, ensure you do not expose them to contact with cosmetic products as these will damage them (perfumes, suncream, etc.). You should also keep your pearls separate from other jewels.

The history of CHANEL Fine Jewellery began one evening in 1932. At her mansion in the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Mademoiselle Chanel exhibited her first collection built around the twin themes of the Comet and the Diamond.

When CHANEL revived this expertise in 1993, the collection paid homage to its origins in the form of reproductions and reinterpretations of the first pieces from the "Bijoux de Diamants" collection.

In 1997, the acquisition of one of the finest mansions in the Place Vendôme (situated at Number 18 in the famous square) and the creation of the Fine Jewellery & Watch Boutique seemed the natural conclusion to a secret itinerary that led Mademoiselle Chanel from her Faubourg Saint-Honoré home to the Rue Cambon and then onto the Ritz.

This move also marked CHANEL's appearance alongside its peers, the greatest names in jewellery, in the strategic heart from which luxury radiates throughout the world. CHANEL Fine Jewellery demonstrates its coming of age through its constantly renewed creativity, forged around the fundamental symbols of the universe of Mademoiselle.

In this 21st century, CHANEL constantly projects itself into the future after the manner of its founder, who used to say: "I want to be associated with what is yet to come." In this way, CHANEL rolls back the frontiers of luxury.
Behind the elegant facade designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, a new Boutique now develops the major themes first proposed at that original exhibition at the CHANEL mansion.

In its constant search for perfection, CHANEL Fine Jewellery includes in the diamond selection process an examination by an expert gemmologist who takes the time to examine each gem. In this way, CHANEL Fine Jewellery offers exceptional diamonds that are among the finest in the world.

THE QUALITY CRITERIA FOR DIAMONDS (4C)

Diamonds come in a variety of colours, ranging from the so called "colourless" diamonds whose colour is classified according to an internationally recognised scale, to those rarer cases of diamonds with clearly-defined colours, such as yellow, blue, pink, champagne, black or green.

A diamond's quality depends on perfect combinations of 4 criteria, known as the "4Cs", which are subject to endless variations that make each gem unique:

CLARITY
The clarity of a diamond is determined by the number and the size of visible inclusions in the stone.

COLOUR
Ideal diamonds are generally distinguished by the absence of colour.
Thus the more colourless a white diamond is, the rarer and more precious it is.

An international standard attributes the letter "D" to totally colourless diamonds, with the remaining letters used to measure tints appearing in the stone.

CUT
The cut is the element which enhances a diamond's qualities, thus revealing its incomparable brilliance.
Excellent proportions combined with perfectly symmetrical facets enable light to be captured and to reveal the carefully-selected stone's true brilliance.

CARAT
The word "carat" refers to the seeds of the carob tree, used in Antiquity to measure the weight of a diamond, and has been the international standard unit of measurement since 1907. A carat is equivalent to 0.20 grammes.

Clarity

Colour

Carat

CERTIFICATION
For each centre diamond of a weight equivalent to or greater than 0.25 carats, CHANEL Fine Jewellery provides a certificate issued by the internationally renowned laboratory of the GIA (Gemological Institute of America).

(In exceptional cases, certain certificates are issued by the HRD: "Hoge Raad voor Diamant")
This certificate is a veritable identity card for each stone, indicating its composition in terms of the 4Cs, but also providing a body of supplementary information attesting to the exceptional quality of a CHANEL Fine Jewellery diamond.

CHANEL Fine Jewellery encourages respect for strict ethical standards in terms of sourcing.
All diamonds sold in CHANEL Fine Jewellery Boutiques come from legal sources, in full compliance with the certification system of the Kimberley Process, as defined by the United Nations.
Under the guarantee system instituted by this process, each partner undertakes to provide a certificate attesting in writing that the diamonds are sourced from non-conflict countries.
This particular vigilance helps ensure the credibility of the diamond trade, eradicating the circulation of stones from countries in situations of armed conflict.www.kimberleyprocess.com

In order to help you to choose the size that fits you perfectly, our expert advisers are ready to help you in all CHANEL Fine Jewellery Boutiques.
To find your nearest Boutique, please visit our store locator.